Free 'Sustainable Shaun' game launches in Bristol 2015 Lab
As Shaun-mania takes hold across Bristol, local children are being invited to pilot a new online game featuring everyone’s favourite sheep to encourage them to learn about sustainability in a fun, interactive format.
The game, designed by Bristol 2015 and created by Aardman Animations, is free to play and challenges young people to build their own sustainable city by balancing five themes: food, nature, energy, transport and resources. It inspires children to think about green issues and in doing so, create a Green Capital legacy for future generations.
George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol said:
“The long term benefits from 2015 will come in many forms and our education programme for all Bristol’s primary school children is one of the most important things we can do.”
“Sustainable Shaun is a great Green Capital educational project designed to capture the imagination of our children and empower them to do something different. The long term benefits from 2015 will come in many forms and our education programme for all Bristol’s primary school children is one of the most important things we can do. I look forward to Shaun leading a national revolution in sustainable education.
“The European Green Capital award is for cities working to improve the environment and sharing the benefits. We’re making good progress on many fronts, but let’s not forget that the judges recognised Bristol’s ‘sense of fun’, and I’m thankful to Shaun for helping to make this programme such fun for so many.”
Bristol is the first ever European Green Capital to launch a dedicated sustainability education programme which has now reached 10,000 primary school children across Bristol through free workshops. The learnings gathered from Bristol schools engaged in these workshops will eventually feed into a national teaching resource.
“Shaun is always recycling and upcycling items found on Mossy Bottom Farm to aid his farmyard adventures, which is why he makes the perfect Bristol 2015 Schools Ambassador. We are delighted that Shaun the Sheep can bring a sense of fun to learning about sustainability issues. The interactive ‘Sustainable Shaun’ game will help engage and educate children about green issues in a fun and immersive way.”
The Bristol 2015 Lab, located on the Harbourside, has been transformed into a 3D version of Sustainable Shaun for the duration of the summer holidays and features four dedicated game stations, as well as Shaun-themed giveaways. Visitors to the Lab will also be greeted by a Shaun the Sheep sculpture titled Green Poems for a Blue Planet, designed by Martin Kiszko and Nick Park and sponsored by Bristol 2015 as part of the city-wide trail.
Throughout the year, Bristol 2015 will be working with children from local schools to create video documentaries on some of the reasons why the city won the title of European Green Capital 2015 and what more can be achieved to help Bristol become a healthier, happier city. The virtual field trips will be shared online from September alongside a range of quality resources designed to support teachers nationwide.
The Green Capital schools programme has been made possible through the support of Bristol 2015’s official partners. One of those sponsors, Skanska, also participated in workshops to help shape the game. James McKenzie-Boyle, Community Investment Manager, commented:
“We’re sure that Sustainable Shaun will prove to be a highly popular way for children to engage with green issues and will be one of Bristol 2015’s most powerful legacies. Skanska is proud to have played our part in its development.”
Why not try the game out for yourself here.
Find out more information about the Green Capital schools programme here.
